Academy Cinemas

The Academy is my local. They have an excellent range of movies and seldom have the blockbusters (yay) but have a fabulous line-up of Indy, art-house and just quirky movies from around the world. There is always something playing I want to see.

While the large theatre is good quality, the boutique theatre with about 15 seats is my favourite, particularly during the day. This week I went to a daytime movie and had the theatre to myself.

The theatre is under the Auckland City Library with several flights of steps down but you can get a lift organised if necessary. Tickets and seats can be booked online. The snacks choices are good including Kapiti ice cream and there are a few hot snacks as well. There’s coffee and tea, some pretty good wine and beers and ciders so something for everyone. And the prices are a little lower than the big theatres.

I have always believed that a city is only as great as its spots. Less than major attractions, and more than things you can find anywhere. The Academy Cinema in Auckland is my favourite place in this lovely city.

The staff is helpful, the environment, calm and thoughtful. I have seen man films there now; sometimes as part of cinema festivals, and sometimes with special guest lectures about film production or animation. I have seen films with friends, colleagues, and flatmates. I am so comforted by the fact that this celebration of cinema exists and that every day there is something of quality available. I also feel like that staff who work there care for their clientele.

On Friday, I had came to the cinema at 6 pm, super excited and full of anticipation. It has always been a tradition of mine to see the new Quentin Tarantino films at their debut screenings with friends. This dates all the way have to the release of Kill Bill.

As we entered, there was nobody in the lobby. This seemed strange. To my horror, I looked at my ticket and it indicated that the film started at 5:30pm and not 6:30pm as I had remember.

Without hesitation, the staff memory who was working [Cameo], apologised and asked if I would like to substitute my tickets for the following evening. Free of charge. It was a very kind and unexpected act. And tonight, I will be going back to Academy to continue my tradition.

Thank you Academy for including art into my life more regularly, and for giving me a comfy seat to enjoy it in.

P.S. I highly recommend seeing a film in the cozy boutique theatre. It’s like wrapping yourself in a snug blanket.

This cinema has so much charm and we got to watch a film for just $5. There is a great atmosphere here and they sell delicious popcorn. They also have free drinking water and glasses which I think is great.

On a recent trip to New Zealand, I managed to catch the magnicifent local film Waru at this cinema. It was in the smallest cinema I’ve ever been to (about 20 seats) but the ambience was good, you can book on line and the film well worth seeing.

I’ve only been to two cinemas in Auckland... but this is definitely the one to pick. On a rainy night, all the hip people of the city catch a flick there. All the flicks are culturally hip. I would go here alone, with a date, or a mate. Any day. My fav.
(also, their pre-made ice cream cones are a must. and their selection of spirits, to try).

Found this gem by accident while using the free library WiFi... the cinema is below the city library. If you’re reading this now, go see WARU!!!!!!!

This is my favourite cinema in Auckland and I go here a lot. It’s clearly run by people who love movies and they show a nice selection of independent movies. Watch out for their $5 Wednesdays too with a different line up of movies for $5, often including recent blockbusters.

True you won’t find the big blockbusters here when they open but some of that will eventually make it here on a cheap Wednesday. You do however find a great range of indie films and documentaries here. They have too screens - a large cinema and a tiny one that seats 12 and feels like watching movies in your living room.

Make sure you grab an icecream from the counter too - their chocolate topped icecreams are yumm!

Excellent Great Art house movies and can get a wine or beer perfect best kept secret and amazingly ony $5 on Wednesdays

After moving to AKL: I immediately searched for film-club with good taste and offer of advanced movies. We found Academy Cinemas: trying to come here at least twice a week (not only on Wednesday!). I like the movies’ selection, local ice-cream, as well as the venue (especially that cute little screening room - for 16 people only?).

Arthouse cinema hidden away under Auckland Library probably has the best chocolate tops in Auckland.
Programming is always interesting and intriguing and often controversial. Undeniably a hidden gem.